To be able to enter deeply into relationship, it is necessary to be able both to forgive and to assert yourself skillfully. Forgiveness and assertiveness support each other. Forgiveness clears out ill will so you can assert yourself with compassion and Wise Speech. Self-assertion takes care of your own needs so forgiveness can emerge without the sense that you are a doormat.
This experiential workshop will get into the nitty-gritty of how to bring the Buddha’s profound teachings on interrelatedness, lovingkindness, and virtue (sila) into the messy real world of relationships with family members, lovers, friends, bosses, and co-workers.
This workshop - led by a world renowned expert on forgiveness, and by an experienced couples and family therapist and meditation teacher - will offer user-friendly information with lots of practical methods. We'll cover:
-- The Buddha’s teachings on non-harming, wise speech, compassion and kindness, and releasing ill will -- as well as his teachings on self-care, respecting your own needs, and looking out for your own happiness
-- The primacy of relationships in evolution, and the deep capacities for both loving altruism and fearful aggression
-- The neural machinery of emotional reactivity and developing grievances with others
-- Why forgiveness and assertiveness are both important
-- The foundation of basic mindfulness, precepts, Wise Speech, compassion for oneself and others, and emotional self-care
-- Forgiveness practices
-- Assertiveness practices
There will be some voluntary paired activities as well as time for questions and discussion. While the teachings are appropriate for use in health care professions, no background with psychology or meditation is needed. Also please know that this workshop is not psychotherapy or any substitute for professional care.

This talk also includes John Teasdale and Jenny Wilks. This is the introductory talk for a retreat that is particularly relevant to those teaching or training in mindfulness-based applications. The retreat explores the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, as taught in the Satipatthana discourse given by the Buddha.

The faith we are asked to cultivate in our practice is the confidence to put wisdom of the Buddha into action in our lives. Doing this, we can see for ourselves the benefit of this wisdom. Yet the process is gradual and many of us have doubts. Recognizing and working with doubt is an essential aspect of our spiritual journey.